top of page

Thu, 30 Jun

|

C. Bechstein Centre Manchester

C. Bechstein Recital Series with Innsaei String Quintet

This month's recital brings to you the Innsaei String Quartet and pianist Arthur Yiu Chung Yu

C. Bechstein Recital Series with Innsaei String Quintet
C. Bechstein Recital Series with Innsaei String Quintet

Time & Location

30 Jun 2022, 18:30 – 19:30

C. Bechstein Centre Manchester, 7-9 Tib St, Manchester M4 1AD, UK

About the event

We are excited to announce our next recital will be our first ensemble featured in the C. Bechstein Centre Manchester recital series!

Tickets for this recital are completely FREE and all guests will receive a complimentary glass of bubbly. Tickets are limited, so if you would like to attend please call us on 0161 527 7677 or email info@bechstein.co.uk to secure your seat.

Likewise, if you are unable to make the event after booking, please call or email to let us know so we can offer your seat to another guest. For those who cannot attend in person, we will also live stream the event via our YouTube channel, a link will be provided nearer the time.

The programme includes:

Da Day Dawn - Trad. Arr. Donald Grant

Calum' s Road - Donald Shaw, arr. Donald Grant

One for Mary - Donald Grant

Prelude and Fugue in E-flat minor, BWV 853, from the Well-Tempered Clavier Book 1 - J. S.Bach

Etude No. 4 in C-sharp Minor, Op. 10 - Chopin

Piano Quintet in Eb Major Op.44 - Robert Schumann I.   Allegro brillante II.  In modo d'una marcia. Un poco largamente III. Scherzo: Molto vivace IV. Allegro ma non troppo

About the musicians

Emily Blayney Violin

Violinist Emily Blayney is a highly motivated musician, playing in various ensembles around Manchester and the North.

Emily started learning the violin at the age of 7 through Surrey Arts. Inspired by the choirs and orchestras of her County music service she developed a keen interest in classical music, leading her to successfully audition for a place at the junior department of the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 2013, before going on win a place at the RNCM learning in the classes of Cath Yates and Cecily Ward. As an orchestral musician she has performed in many venues, such as the Bridgewater Hall, the Royal Albert hall and the Barbican centre under the batons of conductors including Sir Simon Rattle and Sir Mark Elder. Emily’s diverse performing career often sees her playing at events and weddings, as well as regular performances with function ensembles and recording work. Recent and upcoming work includes performing as a solo violinist in the contemporary opera Tiresias 2.0.

Elyena Clapperton Violin

As a recent graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music Elyena is currently enjoying a rich and diverse freelance career as both a performer and teacher. This Scottish violinist is passionate about exploring different types of music and you will often catch her performing with a wide variety of Manchester based ensembles, which have previously included Manchester Concert Orchestra and Manchester Camerata. Despite a Scottish heritage Elyena grew up on a beautifully secluded island off the West coast of Norway. This experience enriched her enthusiasm for both Norwegian and Scottish folk music, of which she often has performed together with her family. In addition to making music with others Elyena thrives performing as a soloist and is currently studying under the American Cecilie Ward, previous first violinist of the Cyprus quartet (San Francisco). Elyena made her debut as a soloist at 16 performing with the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra and is a returning soloist with her local orchestra, Romsdalsorkesteret.

Beth Willett Viola

Beth is a Manchester based Violist currently finishing her masters degree at the Royal Northern College of Music. Working under the tutelage of Susie Mészáros, Violist in the highly esteemed Chilingarian String Quartet, and Vicci Wardman, arguably the UK’s most in demand orchestral Violist, Beth has developed into an incredibly passionate musician and has been rewarded with many fantastic opportunities. Highlights of some of these include performing with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and spending 10 days working with the Manchester Collective in their newly founded Winter Residency. Beth is particularly enthusiastic about Chamber music and has been working with the Innsaei String Quartet for over 5 years. During this time she has enjoyed working closely with Donald Grant, Violinist with the Elias String Quartet, and has been fortunate to perform twice alongside the internationally acclaimed group. Beth is also a winner of the RNCM's Weil 2022 Prize. Beth is currently teaching as part of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Music In Secondary Schools Trust, where she provides free music tuition to students in disadvantaged communities.

Alec Smith Cello

Based in Manchester, Alec is an award-winning chamber and orchestral cellist performing in venues the cross the UK.

Alec graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music in 2020, where he studied with cellists Chris Hoyle, Eduardo Vassalo, and Leonard Elschenbroich. Throughout his time at the RNCM Alec developed a deep passion for chamber music, and formed the Innsaei String Quartet and the Deanach Piano trio, with whom he received tuition from numerous essteemed chamber musicians such as Trio Gaspard, Elias String Quartet, Henk Guittart, and many more.  As an orchestral musician, Alec has played with multiple professional orchestras such as the BBC Philharmonic and the Welsh National Opera, where he is currently on trial. Alec also has a strong interest in musical pedagogy and is currently completing the first level of the British Suzuki Music Association teacher training, where he teaches lessons and masterclasses in courses in both England and Scotland.

Arthur Yiu Chung Yu Piano

Arthur was born in Hong Kong and began his piano studies at the age of seven. In September 2015, Arthur began studying with Peter Bradley-Fulgoni at Shrewsbury School and since 2017 he was awarded a scholarship to study with Frank Wibaut and Richard Ormrod at the Royal Northern College of Music. He has competed internationally in competitions in Germany (Geilenkirchen), Italy (Braone) and Wales (Caernarfon and Gregynog) and performed in venues such as the Cadogan Hall (London) and Birmingham Town Hall. Competitions he won including 2nd in the Hong Kong Schools Music Festival (2013), 1st in the Hong Kong Youth Piano Competition (2014), 2nd in ‘Shrosphire Young Musician of the Year’ (2016) and was a finalist with Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No.3 Op.30 in the RNCM “Concerto Competition” (2019).

Innsaei String Quartet and Arthur Yiu Chung Yu

Formed in 2016 at the Royal Northern College of music in Manchester, the Innsaei string quartet has performed in numerous concerts, competitions, and masterclasses across the UK and Europe. The name of the quartet comes from the Icelandic word Innsaei, meaning ‘feelings or emotions beyond words’ - which the quartet portrays through their powerful and youthful interpretations.

Under the tutorage of esteemed chamber musicians such as members from the Elias Quartet, Chillingarian quartet, Talich quartet, Schoenberg quartet and many others, the Innsaei quartet has developed from a group of passionate students into a professional string quartet performing chamber music at the highest level.

The Innsaei quartet is extremely excited to collaborate with multiple award-winning pianist Arthur Yiu Chung Yu in this performance. The ensemble has been working together for 4 months with support from Donald Grant of the Elias String Quartet and is looking forward to performing together again in the future!

Share this event

bottom of page